u/Existing-Ad8218

Most professional networking platforms today depend heavily on engagement optimisation, tracking and advertising models.

At the same time, many people say they care about privacy, GDPR and digital sovereignty.

Yet privacy-focused alternatives almost never gain meaningful traction compared to large US platforms.

Do you think this is mainly because:

• network effects are impossible to overcome
• privacy is not a strong enough motivator
• or because most alternatives simply fail to create enough value?

Genuinely curious how people here see it.

I’ve been frustrated with LinkedIn for years. It’s not just the AI posts, ads, the algorithm, or the endless scroll - it’s the fact that our professional identities, connections, and data are controlled by a US company that answers to Wall Street, not to us.

So I’m building a private, high-signal professional network designed for EU founders, engineers, and builders who want:

• No algorithms: Chronological feed only. What you see is what you get.
• No ads: Ever. Monetization is via €99 lifetime memberships (first 250 spots open now).
• No data extraction: Your data stays yours. Hosted on TransIP (Netherlands), GDPR-compliant by design.
• No noise: Only intentional interactions (we call them "Sparks" instead of likes).
• Sovereign identity: You own your profile, connections, and reputation.

Why now?
The EU is pushing for digital sovereignty, but we’re still relying on US platforms for something as critical as professional networking. That doesn’t make sense.

We need an alternative that aligns with European values: privacy, transparency, and user control.

The ask:

1. Would you use this? (Be honest, I’m not here to sell. I’m here to validate.)
2. What’s missing? (What would make you switch from LinkedIn?)
3. Who else should I talk to? (If you know EU founders/engineers who’d be into this, I’d love intros.)

First 250 members get lifetime access for €99.
After that, it’ll be €9.99/month. No VC funding, no growth hacking, just a sustainable, user-owned network.

TL;DR: Building a LinkedIn alternative for EU builders that’s private, sovereign, and high-signal. First 250 lifetime spots open. Thoughts?

I’ve been frustrated with LinkedIn for years. It’s not just the AI posts, ads, the algorithm, or the endless scroll - it’s the fact that our professional identities, connections, and data are controlled by a US company that answers to Wall Street, not to us.

So I’m building Cindra, a private, high-signal professional network designed for EU founders, engineers, and builders who want:

• No algorithms: Chronological feed only. What you see is what you get.
• No ads: Ever. Monetization is via €99 lifetime memberships (first 250 spots open now).
• No data extraction: Your data stays yours. Hosted on TransIP (Netherlands), GDPR-compliant by design.
• No noise: Only intentional interactions (we call them "Sparks" instead of likes).
• Sovereign identity: You own your profile, connections, and reputation.

Why now?
The EU is pushing for digital sovereignty, but we’re still relying on US platforms for something as critical as professional networking. That doesn’t make sense.

We need an alternative that aligns with European values: privacy, transparency, and user control.

The ask:

1. Would you use this? (Be honest, I’m not here to sell. I’m here to validate.)
2. What’s missing? (What would make you switch from LinkedIn?)
3. Who else should I talk to? (If you know EU founders/engineers who’d be into this, I’d love intros.)

First 250 members get lifetime access for €99.
After that, it’ll be €9.99/month. No VC funding, no growth hacking, just a sustainable, user-owned network.

TL;DR: Building a LinkedIn alternative for EU builders that’s private, sovereign, and high-signal. First 250 lifetime spots open. Thoughts?

I’ve been frustrated with LinkedIn for years. It’s not just the AI posts, ads, the algorithm, or the endless scroll - it’s the fact that our professional identities, connections, and data are controlled by a US company that answers to Wall Street, not to us.

So I’m building Cindra, a private, high-signal professional network designed for EU founders, engineers, and builders who want:

• No algorithms: Chronological feed only. What you see is what you get.
• No ads: Ever. Monetization is via €99 lifetime memberships (first 250 spots open now).
• No data extraction: Your data stays yours. Hosted on TransIP (Netherlands), GDPR-compliant by design.
• No noise: Only intentional interactions (we call them "Sparks" instead of likes).
• Sovereign identity: You own your profile, connections, and reputation.

Why now?

The EU is pushing for digital sovereignty, but we’re still relying on US platforms for something as critical as professional networking. That doesn’t make sense.

We need an alternative that aligns with European values: privacy, transparency, and user control.

The ask:

1. Would you use this? (Be honest, I’m not here to sell. I’m here to validate.)
2. What’s missing? (What would make you switch from LinkedIn?)
3. Who else should I talk to? (If you know EU founders/engineers who’d be into this, I’d love intros.)

First 250 members get lifetime access for €99.
After that, it’ll be €9.99/month. No VC funding, no growth hacking, just a sustainable, user-owned network.

TL;DR: Building a LinkedIn alternative for EU builders that’s private, sovereign, and high-signal. First 250 lifetime spots open. Thoughts?